WW2 Era Letters Written by Soldiers From 7 Different Nations: A Fascinating Historical Compilation

Zoey Waverider

Updated Monday, June 17, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

The era of World War II conjures images of courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit. A compelling image on Imgur titled "WW2 Era Letters Written by Soldiers From 7 Different Nations (American, British, Canadian, Australian, Soviet, German and Japanese)" provides a poignant glimpse into the personal lives of soldiers from various countries. This vertical compilation of flags and corresponding letters or envelopes from different nations showcases the emotional and historical significance of wartime correspondence.

Starting with the **American** letter, the image features the American flag with its 13 stripes and 50 stars. The aged envelope, adorned with a red, white, and blue border, is addressed to "Mrs. Irving Busch." This small detail hints at the personal and familial ties that soldiers maintained despite the harrowing circumstances of war.

The **British** section displays the iconic Union Jack. The handwritten letter on squared paper is addressed to "Fly Officer W. W. Solomon, Ferry Pool, No. 3 Personnel Reception Center, ... House, England, U.K." This letter likely carried the thoughts and wishes of a soldier stationed far from home, navigating the complexities of wartime Britain.

Moving to the **Canadian** contribution, the flag features a red field with the coat of arms of the University of Toronto and a British union flag in the upper left corner. The envelope, marked with an "AIR MAIL" label and "EXAMINER 2259," is addressed to "Mr. R. L. Solomons." Such letters were lifelines, transcending borders and connecting loved ones across continents.

Australia's representation is marked by its flag, a blue field with the Union Jack in the upper left corner, and a constellation of stars on the right. The envelope is addressed to "A/L/Corporal G. Solomon Grimsay Mission, A/B.C." This correspondence from an Australian soldier underscores the global reach of the conflict and the shared experiences of those in the Commonwealth.

The **Soviet** segment features the iconic red flag with a gold hammer and sickle, complemented by a gold-bordered red star. The envelope, covered in stamps, is addressed to a Soviet location, capturing the essence of communication behind the Iron Curtain during a tumultuous period.

The **German** letter is linked with the flag bearing a red field, a white circle containing a black s*******. The handwritten note, possibly in German, includes stamps and official markings, reflecting the meticulous record-keeping and communication within the Axis powers.

Lastly, the **Japanese** flag, white with a red circle representing the sun, accompanies an ornate envelope. Decorated with traditional Japanese drawings of a small bridge and natural scenery, this letter highlights the cultural uniqueness and poetic expression even amidst the chaos of war.

The image not only showcases the visual diversity of these letters but also reflects on the common humanity shared by soldiers worldwide. Comments from users reveal an emotional connection to the content, with one mentioning, "I've written a few of these letters over the years. I totally teared up reading these ones." Another user appreciates the historical context, "You can find letters from Canada's Newfoundland Regiment and reading the heartbreaking story and see how far these people had to travel to fight against Germany!"

A commenter wonders about the fates of these soldiers, "Wonder what happened to them all. You had the details for the first soldier. I imagine it's a hell of a lot harder to find the info on the others, huh?" This curiosity highlights the enduring intrigue and mystery surrounding personal wartime narratives.

The image, coupled with the insightful comments, offers a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and enduring spirit of those who lived through World War II. It serves as a testament to the unchanging nature of human emotions and the universal experiences of love, fear, and hope that bind us all, regardless of nationality.

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View source: Imgur

Top Comments from Imgur

detectivepopcornmmmmm

I've written a few of these letters over the years. I totally teared up reading these ones. Nothing changes, except the Japanese guy's letter. I wish I could be that poetic.

Noob3rts

OH OH OH! I HAVE A WEBSITE FOR THIS! You can find letters from Canada's Newfoundland Regiment and reading the heartbreaking story and see how far these people had to travel to fight against Germany! It's worth looking! https://www.therooms.ca/thegreatwar/in-depth/military-service-files/database

Totallys******inaustin

Wonder what happened to them all. You had the details for the first soldier. I imagine it's a hell of a lot harder to find the info on the others, huh?

glovelyday

Thank you. Fascinating glimpses of the h7man scale of thd war. I wonder how many of these young men lived tonsee the end of the fighting.

PetricusGaming

How the Japanese letter start is exactly how you might find modern emails. Bunch of fluff before the actual content.

UnitConversionBot

70 feet ≈ 21 metres or 8.5 half giraffes

HillOfBeans

Thanks as always for sharing your collection, @op. I wondered what the mission in Abruzzo in the German’s letter was about, and googled the date. There’s a fascinating diary from a young Italian woman hiding in the woods of Abruzzo during this time here. https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2023/06/13/war-diary/

Miyamotofan

Turns out people are pretty much the same all over.

ElroydIsGone

At first, the german pre-prints like "Feldpost" on the soviet card really confused me, but I guess the Red Army just "refurbished" such things like military postcards they conquered from the Germans.

Gracethehedgehog

Very compelling reading even if the subject matter is banal. Great to read the first gentleman almost made it to 100! Thank you for this unique insight.

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